Looking out for each other after all these yearsAlumni group meets for food, friendship and blood drive

September 15, 2006|JENNIFER OCHSTEIN Tribune Correspondent

Marilyn Voorhees McDaniel couldn't answer the question. But her response to how she feels about her friends from Mishawaka High School said it all. She cried. "I can't answer that," McDaniel said, trying to collect herself through her emotion. While she by no means travels the farthest to the monthly meetings of the Mishawaka High School Alumni group, she does drive from Muncie at least three times per year to see her old 1948 classmates. Many others make trips at least once a year from other states. While the group has met the first Wednesday of the month for lunch for the past 11 years, the September meeting was set aside for the group's annual blood drive for the South Bend Medical Foundation, according to organizer John Moore, who also graduated in 1948. McDaniel and one friend in particular, who wasn't able to attend this month's lunch because of an illness, have known each other 71 years -- since kindergarten. Even she can hardly believe she's known one person for 71 years. "It's been so many years, and we're still all friends," said McDaniel. "I have friends in Muncie who have no contact with anyone from their home town. I feel so fortunate." Dorothy De Laurelle, who also graduated in 1948 said coming to the lunches keeps her and her friends young. "Young people don't seem to do this," De Laurelle said. "My grandchildren are amazed that I still keep in contact with my classmates." De Laurelle and her classmate Ginni Kent said they would get together for reunions every few years before the group started up 11 years ago. But the monthly luncheons help them to see each other more. "You get a good meal, and good entertainment," De Laurelle said. "It's just a good day." Catherine Goeller, who graduated in 1934, comes to the events every month with her sister, Elizabeth Goeller, who graduated in 1940. "I enjoy all of them," Catherine Goeller said. "I haven't missed any of them. You can't find a nicer place to spend an afternoon." On average, according to Moore, attendance at the monthly club meetings and luncheon is around 500 members. But the group has 2,873 registered members, and he sends out just more than 2,500 newsletters every month. The luncheon has grown so much over the years, they now have to have it at the F.O.P. in Mishawaka. "Mishawaka is a unique situation," Moore said. "Everyone has a lot of pride for the school and enjoy coming to see their friends." He tells the story of two graduates who were both widowed. The man lived in California. The woman lived in Indianapolis. After it was announced in the newsletter that the woman had been widowed, the man struck up a friendship with her. He eventually moved to Indianapolis and they got married. That's just the kind of thing, it seems, Moore would expect to happen among a group of people who take their ties seriously. They also take their community involvement seriously. Moore said the group helps local charities with their events. He estimated that the club would donate at least 13 pints of blood during this year's blood drive.